Hands‐on and online: scientific explorations through distance learning

Abstract

Laboratory experiments are often considered the defining characteristic of science courses. Such activities provide students with real‐world contexts for applying scientific concepts, while also allowing them to develop scientific ways of thinking and promoting an interest in science. In recent years, an increasing number of campuses have moved their instruction to the online learning environment. Consequently, in the sciences there is a growing need to develop best practices related to the integration of laboratory‐based activities with online science coursework. This research study explored how online students engaged in scientific processes as they conducted relevant and real‐world experiments from their own locations. An analysis of three online science courses revealed that laboratory experiments can be performed successfully by distance learning students.

Keywords:

• science
• online learning
• scientific experiments
• scientific inquiry
• distance learning

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the Charitable Leadership Foundation, which provided the funds for the development of these courses. They also thank faculty members Jianhao Chen, Phillip Ortiz, and Diane Shichtman; course developers Ken Charuk, George Goodman, Runa Rahman, and Nikki Shrimpton; and instructional designers Audeliz Matias and Kent Stanton, for authoring the courses and laboratory exercises. Finally, the authors thank Suzanne DeWeese for clerical support on this project.